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Airports are a crucial part of the global travel infrastructure, facilitating connections between different cities and countries. Some airports, such as Hartsfield-Jackson Airport in Atlanta, are known for their exceptionally high passenger traffic, earning them the title of busy airports. These hubs play a significant role in the aviation industry, accommodating numerous flights and passengers daily. However, with increased traffic, these airports also face challenges, including staff shortages and potential safety concerns. In this context, the term busy airport refers to aviation hubs that experience a high volume of air traffic and passenger movement, often ranking high in global or regional lists of busiest airports.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of runways | More runways enable an airport to handle more passengers. For example, O'Hare airport in Chicago has 80 million passengers per year and has a large number of runways. |
| Number of destinations | Istanbul Airport is considered one of the busiest in the world and is the most connected, with nonstop flights to over 300 destinations. |
| Number of passengers | Hartsfield-Jackson Airport in Atlanta is the world's busiest airport, with over 100 million passengers per year. |
| Staffing issues | Air traffic control staffing issues can cause delays and safety issues, as seen at Newark Liberty International Airport. |
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What You'll Learn
Busiest airports in the world
Airports that experience a high volume of air traffic are generally referred to as busy airports. The world's busiest airports by passenger traffic are measured by the total number of passengers enplaned, deplaned, and direct-transit passengers.
The Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia, has consistently ranked as the busiest airport in the world for 26 out of the past 27 years. It was the only airport to break the 100 million passenger count, with Delta operating over 1,000 daily flights to more than 200 destinations.
Dubai International Airport, home to Emirates, one of the world's largest airlines, is another busy airport. It offers connections to 85 countries on six continents. A $35 billion project is underway to replace it with Al Maktoum International Airport, which is expected to become the world's largest airport when it opens in 2034.
Shanghai's Pudong Airport has also seen significant growth, with a 41% increase in traffic compared to 2023 levels, contributing to China's post-pandemic air travel recovery. Additionally, India's busiest airport, named after Indira Gandhi, opened a fourth runway in 2023 to accommodate increasing demand.
Other notable mentions include Istanbul Airport, which is the most connected airport globally, according to CNN, and Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, which saw a 17% increase in passengers in 2024 compared to 2019.
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Busiest airports in the US
A busy airport is often referred to as a "hub".
The Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the busiest airport in the US in terms of passenger traffic and aircraft movements. With over 50.9 million passengers and 341,835 flights per year, it is also one of the busiest airports in the world. The airport serves as a major hub for Delta Air Lines, which operates over 1,000 daily flights to more than 200 destinations.
Coming in second is the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, which saw 39.2 million passengers in 2023, followed by Denver International Airport with 37.8 million passengers. Denver is the largest airport in North America by land area and has become United Airlines' busiest hub. Chicago O'Hare International Airport offers the most daily flights and is a major hub for both American and United Airlines.
Other busy airports in the US include Los Angeles International Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, and Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, which was voted the best airport in a 2024 reader poll due to its ease of navigation and amenities.
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Busiest airports in Europe
A busy airport is often referred to as a hub, and those with a large number of passengers are sometimes called megahubs.
Europe has some of the world's most significant aviation hubs, which serve as crucial gateways to the continent, connecting travellers globally. Here is a list of the busiest airports in Europe:
Heathrow Airport, London, UK
Heathrow Airport is Europe's busiest airport in terms of passenger traffic, handling over 80 million travellers annually. As a major international hub, Heathrow offers connections to destinations worldwide, making it a vital part of global air transportation networks. Heathrow is one of six major airports serving the London region, along with Gatwick and Stansted.
Charles de Gaulle Airport, Paris, France
Charles de Gaulle Airport is the second busiest airport in Europe, with over 70 million passengers annually. With its extensive network of flights, it serves as a crucial link between Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas.
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is the third busiest airport in Europe, handling over 70 million passengers annually. It is a major connecting point for travellers within Europe and beyond.
Frankfurt Airport, Frankfurt, Germany
Frankfurt Airport is Germany's busiest airport and one of Europe's largest aviation hubs, accommodating over 60 million passengers per year. Its central location in Europe makes it a vital gateway for domestic and international travellers.
Istanbul Airport, Istanbul, Turkey
Istanbul Airport has rapidly become one of Europe's busiest airports, serving as a crucial link between Europe and Asia. It welcomes over 50 million passengers annually.
Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport, Madrid, Spain
Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport is Spain's primary international airport and one of Europe's busiest, with around 38 million passengers annually.
Other Notable European Airports
Other busy European airports include Barcelona–El Prat Airport, Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport in Rome, Munich Airport, and Gatwick Airport in London.
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Airports with the most runways
A busy airport with a high volume of aircraft movements typically has multiple runways. The number of runways at an airport determines its capacity, efficiency, and operational complexity. While more runways can facilitate higher traffic volumes and reduce delays, they also introduce challenges in air traffic management, taxi times, and turnaround operations.
Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD), Illinois, USA
Chicago O'Hare International Airport boasts eight runways, enabling it to handle a large volume of aircraft movements efficiently. The airport features two sets of three runways that run parallel to each other, allowing for spectacular parallel operations. Chicago O'Hare is one of the rare airports capable of facilitating triple parallel landings.
Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), Texas, USA
Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, located in the Lone Star State, is another airport with a high runway count. It has seven runways and was once the third-largest airport in terms of annual aircraft movement globally before the coronavirus pandemic. Similar to Chicago O'Hare, DFW is capable of triple parallel landings.
Denver International Airport (DEN), Colorado, USA
Denver International Airport, located in Colorado, is one of several airports worldwide with six runways. This airport is known for its ability to handle a significant number of flights and is one of the busiest airports in the United States.
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW), Michigan, USA
The Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, serving the Detroit metropolitan area, also has six runways. With this runway capacity, the airport can accommodate a high volume of air traffic, contributing to its reputation as one of the major airports in the region.
Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS), Netherlands
Amsterdam Schiphol Airport in the Netherlands stands out with its six runways serving a single terminal. Notably, all of its runways are located below sea level. The famous Polderbaan runway is situated five kilometers from the terminal building to ease noise pollution.
In addition to the airports mentioned above, there are other busy airports with a high number of runways, such as Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport with five runways and Houston's airport with five runways as well. These airports handle a significant number of flights and passengers, contributing to their reputation as some of the world's busiest aviation hubs.
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Airports with the most passengers
Airports with a high volume of passenger traffic are often referred to as busy airports. The world's busiest airports by passenger traffic are determined by the Airports Council International, which measures the total number of passengers, including those who embark, disembark, and transit through the airport.
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Atlanta, Georgia:
This airport has consistently ranked as the world's busiest airport since 1998, except for 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2019, it served approximately 110.53 million passengers. Atlanta's airport retained its top position in 2024, with about 108 million passengers, slightly below its 2019 volume.
Harry Reid International Airport, Las Vegas:
Las Vegas's airport experienced one of its busiest periods in April 2025, with long TSA security lines and high passenger volumes. Several factors contributed to the rush, including spring break, passengers arriving late, and various events in the city, such as the LVL UP Expo, motor sports events, and concerts.
O'Hare International Airport, Chicago:
O'Hare, with its vast size and busy operations, served over 80 million passengers in 2024. It has been recognised as the most connected US domestic mega-hub airport, offering connections to more than 200 domestic destinations. However, it also faces challenges due to frequent weather-related delays, with Chicago's winter conditions impacting travel.
Delhi Airport, New Delhi, India:
Indira Gandhi International Airport, also known as Delhi Airport, served approximately 77.8 million passengers in 2024, showing a significant increase from previous years. This growth has been attributed to airline expansion, infrastructure development, and enhanced global connectivity.
Shanghai Pudong International Airport, Shanghai, China:
Shanghai Pudong experienced a remarkable jump in rankings, rising from 21st in 2023 to 10th place in 2024. This surge in traffic was fuelled by expanded visa policies, the resumption and expansion of international flights, operational improvements, and the recovery of the Asia-Pacific region.
These airports, among others, play a crucial role in facilitating global travel and connecting people worldwide. Each airport has its unique features, amenities, and challenges, catering to the diverse needs of travellers and ensuring efficient operations despite the high passenger volumes.
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Frequently asked questions
A busy airport is often referred to as a "hub", especially when it is a major airline's base of operations.
Some of the world's busiest airports include Hartsfield-Jackson Airport in Atlanta, Dubai International Airport, Heathrow Airport in London, and O'Hare International Airport in Chicago.
The number of runways an airport has can impact its capacity and traffic. For instance, O'Hare International Airport in Chicago can handle a large volume of passengers due to its multiple runways.
Yes, air traffic controllers play a crucial role in managing airport traffic. A shortage of controllers can lead to delays and even unsafe conditions, as seen at Newark Liberty International Airport.
Airports can also be ranked by passenger numbers, with Chicago O'Hare International Airport being the fourth busiest in this regard.
